The unusual structure of this year’s division series schedule, combined with Game 2 getting postponed by rain has combined to produce a pitching matchup in a do-or-die game between the Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians that is less than ideal.
For the Yankees, Jameson Taillon, who had a fairly disastrous relief outing in the rescheduled Game 2, will start. Taillon was solid this season, with a 14-5 record, a 3.91 E.R.A. and 151 strikeouts, but there is no question that the Yankees would rather have started the All-Star Nestor Cortes, who would have been available on short rest if not for last week’s rain pushing his start to Thursday. Considering the numerous injuries to the Yankees’ bullpen, getting five or six innings from Taillon is crucial.
The Guardians will turn to Aaron Civale, a right-hander who had a rough start to the season, dealt with some injuries, but finished strong. His 4.92 E.R.A. certainly isn’t pretty, but he was far more effective in the last two months of the season, with a 3.35 E.R.A. in his final eight starts. He was initially left off Cleveland’s roster for the wild-card round but was added as an injury replacement.
